Movies: 2833

Bride of Frankenstein (1935) is an American sci-fi horror sequel to Universal Pictures’ original film, Frankenstein. In a castle during a stormy night, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron praise Mary Shelley for her story about the infamous Frankenstein and his creation. Mary reminds them that her purpose in writing the novel was to teach a moral lesson about the dangers of playing God. She reveals that she has more of the story to share. The scene then shifts to the end of Frankenstein, where villagers celebrate as the Monster seemingly perishes in a burning windmill. However, Hans, whose daughter was killed by the creature, wants to see its ...

Peter Ibbetson (1935), an American black-and-white drama/fantasy film directed by Henry Hathaway, follows the story of Gogo, a young boy of English descent growing up in Paris. His neighbor Mimsey and he have a friendly but occasionally tumultuous relationship. After his mother passes away, Gogo is brought to England by his uncle who gives him an English name in honor of his mother’s maiden name – transforming him into Peter Ibbetson. ‘And so marks the end of the first chapter in the remarkable life of Peter Ibbetson’. As an adult, Ibbetson works as an architect in Yorkshire, restoring a project ...

Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), an American historical adventure drama film directed by Frank Lloyd and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, tells the story of William Bligh’s command of the Royal Naval merchant vessel HMS Bounty in 1787. As a brutal tyrant, Bligh is known for administering harsh punishments to any officers or crew members who lack discipline or defy his authority. After recruiting a new crew from a local pub, the Bounty sets sail from Portsmouth on a two-year voyage to transport breadfruit from the Polynesian islands to Jamaica. Fletcher Christian, the ship’s executive officer, is both strong and ...

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, The 39 Steps (1935) is a gripping British spy thriller starring Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. Loosely based on the novel The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan, the film follows Richard Hannay as he witnesses gunshots at a London music hall theatre. Amidst the chaos, he finds himself with a frightened woman named Annabella Smith who reveals herself to be a spy. Claiming that she is being pursued by assassins, she convinces Hannay to ...

Based in America, The Black Cat (1934) is a pre-Code horror film directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and featuring renowned actors Boris Karloff and Béla Lugosi. During their honeymoon in Hungary, American mystery writer Peter Alison and his bride Joan are surprised to learn that they will be sharing a train compartment with Dr. Vitus Werdegast, a Hungarian psychiatrist who claims he is visiting an old friend. As the night progresses, the couple discovers that Werdegast left his home 18 years ago to fight in World War I and has not ...

The American pre-Code romantic drama, Death Takes a Holiday (1934), features Fredric March, Evelyn Venable and Guy Standing. After pondering why humans fear him for many years, Death decides to take on the form of Prince Sirki for three days. During this time, he mingles among mortals in search of an answer. He establishes himself as a guest of Duke Lambert at his villa and reveals his intentions to the Duke. However, Death’s heart is captured by the lovely Grazia. Unfortunately, Duke Lambert (the father of ...

The American science fiction horror film, The Invisible Man (1933), was directed by James Whale and produced by Universal Pictures. On a snowy evening in the English village of Iping, a stranger with bandaged face and dark goggles arrives at The Lion’s Head Inn. Despite demanding to be left alone, the stranger has caused chaos and fallen behind on rent due to his research. In response, Mrs. Hall sends her husband to evict him, but the stranger angrily throws Mr. Hall down the stairs. When confronted by a policeman and locals, he removes his bandages and goggles, revealing his invisibility. With maniacal laughter, ...

Directed by Erle C. Kenton, Island of Lost Souls (1932) is an American science fiction horror film produced and distributed by Paramount Productions. Based on H.G. Wells’ 1896 novel The Island of Doctor Moreau, the film follows the story of Edward Parker, a shipwrecked traveler who is rescued by a freighter transporting animals to an isolated South Seas island owned by Dr. Moreau. While onboard, Parker witnesses the mistreatment of M’ling, a passenger with beast-like features, by the drunken captain. In retaliation, Parker is thrown overboard into Mr. ...

The American pre-Code supernatural horror film, The Mummy (1932), directed by Karl Freund, depicts an archaeological expedition led by Sir Joseph Whemple in 1921. During this expedition, the mummy of Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian high priest, is discovered. Upon inspection by Dr. Muller, it is revealed that the mummy’s viscera were untouched and there were signs of a struggle indicating that Imhotep had been buried alive. Alongside the mummy lies a cursed casket containing the ‘Scroll of Thoth’. Despite Muller’s warning, Ralph Norton opens the casket and reads aloud from the scroll, causing ...

Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932) is a horror film directed by Robert Florey, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s classic short story of the same name. Set in Paris in 1845, the film follows the twisted actions of mad scientist Dr. Mirakle as he kidnaps young women and infuses them with ape blood in attempts to create a companion for his talking sideshow ape, Erik. Among those who become entangled in Mirakle’s disturbing plans are medical student and detective Pierre Dupin, his fiancée Camille L’Espanaye, and their friends Paul and Mignette who visit the sideshow ...

The American pre-Code horror film Frankenstein (1931), directed by James Whale and produced by Carl Laemmle Jr., was adapted from a 1927 play by Peggy Webling which in turn was based on Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. In a Bavarian Alps village, Henry Frankenstein and his hunchback assistant Fritz assemble a human body using parts from both recently buried bodies and executed criminals. In his tower laboratory, Henry’s ...

The American pre-Code supernatural horror film, Dracula (1931), was directed and co-produced by Tod Browning. The screenplay was written by Garrett Fort and the film starred Bela Lugosi in the title role. It is an adaptation of the 1924 stage play Dracula by Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston, which is based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel of the same name. ...

The Public Enemy (1931) is an American pre-Code gangster film, produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Directed by William A. Wellman and starring James Cagney, the film follows the story of Irish-American friends Tom Powers and Matt Doyle in 1900s Chicago. They start off with petty theft, selling their stolen goods to a man known as ‘Putty Nose’. Tempted by the promise of protection, they join his gang for a fur warehouse robbery. However, things go wrong when Tom accidentally shoots a stuffed bear, alerting the police who kill one of the gang members, Larry ...